Tapping into power under the glove box?

[moxiefreak]

Hi,

Yesterday I picked up my new (to me!) 2007 X3, grey + black trim, 6 speed manual. I love this vehicle! I previously had a 2001 5 speed X5 that I put over 175,000 miles on.

In my X5, there was a wonderful accessory outlet underneath the glove box on the passenger side that I could easily plug my GPS unit into. I was disappointed to find that the X3 doesn't have this.. in fact, I'm a bit surprised how few outlets it has (three) compared to my 2001 X5 (five).

So, I'm wondering if it's easy enough tap into some switched power in/underneath the glove box, or whether I should just take the easy way out and purchase the "Genuine BMW Auxiliary Power Adapter". I'm pretty comfortable with tapping into wiring (having installed an Icelink Plus in the X5) but if its going to be a PITA, I'll probably just purchase the adapter. What do you think?

Thanks!

[A34Maxima6MT]

either would work fine...but im always leary about these cars and electrical problems thats the only reason I have in mind to not do the wiretap..otherwise ive done it before too (in Japanese cars) but I wouldnt do it in my x.

[tonycajjo]

GPS units typically donot draw alot of power, you can prob tap off the cig lighter in the center console, or even easier off the switched power for the radio.

[Weasel]

When a customer asks me to install an aftermarket accessory like that I usually end up adding into the fuse panel in one of the open holes. You can find an unused slot that comes on with the key or stays on all the time, add a wire with the fuse panel terminal to the empty side of the fuse slot, run the power wire wherever you want and just run a chassis ground anywhere. Put in the size fuse needed (2-5 amp for GPS nav) and there ya go!

One thing to remember to do is check the output voltage of the cig lighter power adapter for the unit.... If it is 12 volts output then you are good with just a wire, if it is like 5 volts then you need to wire up the adapter in line with the power and ground to regulate the voltage. (I did this as recently as last week for a hardwired install of an aftermarket sirius radio kit for a customer)

[tonycajjo]

Originally Posted by Weasel

When a customer asks me to install an aftermarket accessory like that I usually end up adding into the fuse panel in one of the open holes. You can find an unused slot that comes on with the key or stays on all the time, add a wire with the fuse panel terminal to the empty side of the fuse slot, run the power wire wherever you want and just run a chassis ground anywhere. Put in the size fuse needed (2-5 amp for GPS nav) and there ya go!

One thing to remember to do is check the output voltage of the cig lighter power adapter for the unit.... If it is 12 volts output then you are good with just a wire, if it is like 5 volts then you need to wire up the adapter in line with the power and ground to regulate the voltage. (I did this as recently as last week for a hardwired install of an aftermarket sirius radio kit for a customer)

much better answer.

in addition, you can swing through radio shack and buy a cig lighter adapter plug. (only a few dollars) and wire that up the way described above allowing you not to cut into any of the GPS wires or buying a voltage adapter. (just plug in the one that comes with the GPS unit)